Shloka 6.25.16
शुकसारण-चारप्रवेशः (Suka and Sāraṇa’s Espionage and Release)
आवामिहागतौसौम्य रावणप्रहितावुभौ ।परिज्ञातुंबलंसर्वंतवेदंरघुनन्दन:।। ।।
āvām ihāgatau saumya rāvaṇa-prahitāv ubhau | parijñātuṃ balaṃ sarvaṃ tavedaṃ raghunandana ||
“O gentle lord, we both have come here, sent by Rāvaṇa. O delight of the Raghu line, we have arrived to ascertain the full strength of your forces.”
"O noble one! We have come to you assigned by Ravana. O delight of Raghu race, thus we arrived here to know about the entire strength of your army."
Satya as confession: they openly state their mission. Dharma here highlights that truth-speaking, even by opponents, becomes the first step toward fair treatment.
The captured spies admit they were sent by Rāvaṇa to assess Rāma’s military strength.
Candor under pressure—choosing truthful admission rather than continued deceit.